Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2013 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet and Wet Slabs.

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Spring time conditions exist. The hazard is directly related to how hard the crusts freeze over night and how quickly they break down during the day.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather and light snow forecast for Friday. Freezing levels are around 2000 m and there is little recovery overnight. On Saturday we may see more significant snowfall and a cooling trend. The hazard may increase in the alpine depending on how much new snow falls.

Snowpack Summary

Five to 10 cm storm of snow along the divide sits over a sun crusts on most aspects except true north. Weak freezes and insulating aspect of new snow bring minimal recovery of crusts overnight.

Avalanche Summary

Due to overcast skies the naturalÂ isothermal cycle we have been seeing earlier in the week has subsided. However if the sun comes out we still expect to see natural activity in the afternoon when the surface crusts start breaking down. A skier triggered Class 2 slab to ground was reported near Lake Louise on Wednesday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose snow avalanches are still possible on solar aspects with day time heating. Monitor how well developed the crusts are in the morning and pay attention to how quickly the crusts are breaking down.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wet Slabs

Wet snow slab avalanches are still a concern with day time heating. Moist snow under the crusts means that any slide triggered has the potential to step down to ground. Large avalanches are still possible. See forecast details.